From the 36...
My perspectives on the issues impacting Rhode Island and District 36
Welcome to From the 36. It’s a place where I share what’s happening in and around our corner of Rhode Island, from Narragansett to North Kingstown to Block Island.
Sometimes it’s policy, sometimes it’s personal, but it’s always about the people and issues that shape our community.
Check in often to see what’s on my mind, what’s going on in District 36, and how together we can keep turning the tide in the right direction.
Same Street. Different Direction.
Same street. Different direction.
The signs may stand on opposite sides of the same road, but they represent two very different visions for Rhode Island's future.
This election isn't about personalities. It's about results and the direction our state takes next.
The Most Important Endorsement I've Received
Over the past several months, I've received support from many people and organizations, but the most important endorsement I've received didn't come from a politician, a business group, or a community leader.
It came from my 91-year-old mother, who still believes Rhode Island is worth showing up for.
Where Did the Extra $900 Million Go?
Rhode Island just passed the largest budget in state history, increasing spending by nearly $900 million in a single year.
With our population largely unchanged, taxpayers should be asking a simple question: What are we getting for the extra money?
A Millionaire's Tax Worked in Massachusetts. Will It Work in Rhode Island?
Massachusetts has generated billions from its millionaire's tax, but Rhode Island's smaller economy, smaller tax base, and growing budget should give us pause.
Before asking taxpayers for more money, we should ask a simpler question:
Are Rhode Islanders getting their money's worth?
Running Against Apathy
Too many Rhode Islanders care deeply about the future of our state but choose to sit on the sidelines.
On top of that, one of the most common things I hear is, "I don't get involved in politics."
Whether we participate or not, decisions are still being made.
The only question is whether we'll have a say in them.
The Hidden Cost of Rhode Island’s Energy Transition
The hidden cost of Rhode Island’s energy transition may not show up in headlines, but it could appear in higher housing costs, utility bills, and fewer affordable options for working families.
Senate Resolution S2354 could make energy transitions more expensive for the very Rhode Islanders already struggling with rising costs.
Memorial Day: More Than a Long Weekend
Memorial Day is more than the unofficial start of summer.
For my family, it is also a time to remember my Uncle Peter, a World War II Army Air Forces gunner whose plane was shot down over North Africa and whose body was never recovered.
His name is memorialized alongside 3,724 missing Americans on the Wall of the Missing at the North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial.
This Memorial Day, we remember him, and all those who gave everything for our country.
Rhode Island’s $233 Million Jackpot
Rhode Island’s budget just hit a “jackpot.”
The state suddenly has an extra $233 million to work with, but where did the money actually come from?
A closer look at the numbers reveals a more complicated story about capital gains, inflation, affordability, and whether this revenue surge is temporary or sustainable.
The Cost of Rhode Island’s Sludge Problem Is Already Rising
New bills in the Senate aim to stop the proposed sludge plant in North Kingstown and study the issue further.
Meanwhile, costs are already rising in communities like West Warwick and Bristol.
Delays have real consequences, and we break it down inside.
Why You're Losing Your Doctor
Concierge medicine is growing across the country, but in Rhode Island, it’s exposing a deeper problem.
As doctors reduce patient loads and shift to membership-based care, access is shrinking for those who can’t afford it.
The question isn’t whether this trend will continue.
It’s whether we address what’s driving it.
When Affordable Housing Meets Climate Goals
As Rhode Island pushes toward climate goals, the ripple effects are showing up in an unexpected place: housing costs.
New EV-related safety requirements are increasing construction costs, even for families unlikely to benefit from them today.
Employment Numbers Are Moving in the Wrong Direction
Rhode Island lost 1,000 jobs in February.
Unemployment ticked up to 4.6%, and over the past year, there are fewer Rhode Islanders working today than there were a year ago.
These aren’t isolated data points. They’re signals.
Earth Day Reality Check
Rhode Island has some of the most ambitious climate goals in the country, but the state admits we’re not on track to meet them, even as energy costs keep rising.
At the same time, real environmental impact is happening in places people aren’t talking about by private entities.
This Earth Day, it’s worth taking a closer look at what’s actually working.
A Plan to Help Small Businesses… That Doesn’t
A new proposal aims to help small businesses by encouraging local investment.
It sounds like a win, but a closer look reveals a program that may be too narrow, too complex, and too limited to make a real impact.
The rules, restrictions, and real-world costs raise a bigger question: who does this actually help?
Something Still Smells in Quonset
Elected officials are lining up to oppose the sludge plant in Quonset, but where’s the alternative?
If we’re serious about solving the problem, we can’t stop at “no.”
We need to ask the harder question: what’s the plan?
Who’s Checking the Bill?
Before you pay a restaurant bill, you take a look to make sure everything adds up.
Similarly, Rhode Island spends billions each year on healthcare and social services.
When it comes to billions in taxpayer dollars, we need to ask: Who’s checking the bill?
What Real Housewives Gets Right About Rhode Island
Reality TV shows one version of Rhode Island. Most people are living another.
That gap between perception and reality is real, and it’s getting wider.
For many people, it’s getting harder to live and work here every day.
Something Smells in Quonset And It’s Not Just the Sludge
The sludge project in Quonset was approved in 2024 and is only now becoming a public issue.
That raises a bigger question.
How did something like this move forward without people knowing about it sooner?
Others Before Self
In a world that often rewards attention and self-interest, it’s worth asking: what does selfless service look like today?
On National Medal of Honor Day, we’re reminded that real leadership isn’t about recognition. it’s about duty before self.
It’s a standard worth carrying into our own communities.
Are We Building a Car Factory Because We Need a New Car?
Rhode Island is exploring a new medical school at URI to help address the state’s doctor shortage.
It’s an exciting long-term idea, but how do we balance that vision with the healthcare access challenges Rhode Islanders are facing today?
“an education in knowledge pays the best interest.”
— BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Inventor & Statesman